Black History Month
The House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada in December 1995. The motion was put forth by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine.
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| Black: Melanin/Shared identity Yellow: Sun/Prosperity Green: Mother Nature Red: Blood/History |
Black people have been part of Canada’s recorded history since the beginning, even if Black history is not generally taught in the general school curriculum. To expand your understanding of Canada’s past, present and future, take some time this February to learn about some great Black Canadians both past and present. Or you can commit to making a difference by attending a conference on working to eradicate racism or becoming an ally.
The 2019 Public Service Employment Survey shows that public-service employees who identify as a visible minority experience higher rates of discrimination and harassment. In addition, they are most often discriminated against for their race, national or ethnic origin, or colour.
As part of its Empowering Conversations series, the JLP offers a guided discussion on anti-racism. The six-hour session brings public service employees and their managers together to define racism, discuss how it is manifested in the workplace, and to identify ways to individually and collectively dismantle racism and promote racial justice.
The JLP is proud to play a part in nurturing and promoting workplaces that are inclusive, diverse and free of harassment and discrimination. You can find our full list of guided discussion on our website.